Dispenser assembly for a fragrance or personal care bottle and a method of assembling same

ABSTRACT

A dispenser assembly for dispensing a substance from a receptacle is provided. Preferably the collar therefore comprises outwardly projecting and elongated angled ribs for forming complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule. A method of assembling such a dispenser assembly upon a receptacle is also provided and comprises the important step of allowing the collar to rotate over the outer surface of the ferrule and towards the receptacle, such that the elongated ribs form complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule thereby forming an airtight seal between the dispensing assembly and the receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispenser assemblies forreceptacles such as fragrance or personal care bottles, and inparticular, to an improved collar for use therewith that significantlyreduces the likelihood that the dispenser assembly will inadvertently orundesirably become decoupled from the receptacle, without sacrificingthe ease of which the collar can be initially positioned thereon. Thatis, the present invention is directed to an improved dispenser assemblythat maximizes the “off-to-on” force of application and removal forcesfor the collar. An improved method of assembling the dispensing assemblyon the receptacle is also provided.

Generally speaking, prior art fragrance and personal care pumps consistof a pump module, a manual actuator for operating the pump, a ferrulethat contains the module and crimps onto the receptacle (i.e. glass orplastic container), a gasket that seals the ferrule to the top of thereceptacle's neck and a decorative collar. A cap may also be providedover the collar either in a slip-fit or a snap-fit arrangement.

Typically, the pump is retained on the bottle by one of two methods:

(a) the lower edge of the ferrule, typically comprised of aluminum, iscollapsed inwardly under the neck of the receptacle by a crimping tool.After mounting, the collar is pushed over the ferrule as a separateoperation; or

(b) a ferrule, made of either plastic or metal, has its multiple legsfolded under the neck of the receptacle by sliding the collar down theferrule. The collar is partially preassembled to the ferrule at the pumpmanufacturer's plant and the assembly is then mounted on the bottle atthe customer's plant in one operation.

In either case, the collar can be metal or plastic. Usually, retentionof a plastic collar on the ferrule is not a major concern becausedesigns incorporate snap fits or heavy press fits that do not compromisethe outer aesthetics of the collar. However, metal collars are usuallyfabricated in aluminum and then anodized to produce a lustrous surface.In order to accommodate physical tolerances in the ferrule and collardiameters, the internal surface of the collar may contain multipleelongated vertical ribs (see FIGS. 1 and 1A) that project outwardlyseveral thousandths of an inch off the inner surface thereof. When thecollar is pushed over the ferrule with a heavy press fit, the collarslightly distorts, or “breathes,” into a polygon, giving it a resiliencythat deals with the tolerances. Another attribute of the ribs is toconcentrate the “hoop” stress at multiple points, causing the ribs todig into the ferrule and thus increasing the resistance to removal.

However, finding the optimal parameters that provide the best seal ofthe pump to the receptacle is difficult and heretofore has been elusive.For example, although the press fit over the ferrule must be largeenough to assure that the collar cannot be accidentally pulled off theferrule, it must be low enough to avoid damaging the outer surface ofthe collar. That is, the anodized surface of the collar is typically avery thin film of aluminum oxide that contains a colorant dye. Whenstressed in tension, the oxide film can crack, creating a diffractiongrating that produces a rainbow effect, which detracts from theaesthetics. As a result, the rib locations become evident on the outersurface of the collar, a condition known as “crazing”.

Similarly, while the press fit must be high enough to compress thegasket sufficiently to assure a seal to the bottle neck so as to avoidleaking, the press fit should not be so high as to over-compress thegasket, causing it to extrude out from under the ferrule, or creatingsuch large forces that the bottle collapses or breaks.

Accordingly, it can be seen that improvements in the art are stilldesired. Specifically, it is desired to improve the state of the artcollars to be able to increase the needed force to remove the collarswhile simultaneously not requiring so much force in initially applyingthe collar that crazing, bottle leaking or breaking occurs.

One such proposal that has been suggested is to provide spiraling ribsin the inner surface of the collar. One exemplary construction thatappears to utilize spiral ribs is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,810.However, it is believed that the descriptions and the resultant producttherein are less than satisfactory and that still further improvementsare achievable. Specifically, it is believed that the spiral ribs inthis '810 patent are not provided to hold the collar on, but rather, topermit the collar to be unsecured after the contents of the receptaclehave been used up, all for the purpose of recycling. Moreover, the '810patent's inherent description of restricting any rotation of the collaras it is being fitted over the ferrule provides for less thansatisfactory results. That is, and as further discussed below, thesevere angle of the ribs in this prior art patent prevents rotation ofthe collar as it is being fitted on the ferrule, resulting in more of a“snowplow” type deformation of the plastic ferrule, and a less thansatisfactory “off to on” ratio for the collar.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved dispensing assemblythat further advances the state of the art. In particular the presentinvention seeks to reduce the required application force so as to avoidcollar crazing while simultaneously providing for (a) sufficient gasketcompression without extrusion, (b) a desirable amount of requiredremoval force, and (c) an increase in the ratio of axial collar removalforce to application force. The present invention achieves these as wellas the below mentioned objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, adispenser assembly for dispensing a substance from a receptacle isprovided. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser assembly comprises apump assembly that comprises at least an exit tube through which theliquid leaves the pump assembly and a dip tube, coupled to the exit tubeand extending into the receptacle, for transporting liquid from thereceptacle towards the exit tube; a metal ferrule for maintaining acoupling of the pump assembly to the receptacle, the ferrule comprisingan outer surface and an interior cavity, an aperture through which atleast the exit tube of the pump assembly extends, and a plurality ofbendable and depending legs for engaging the rim of the receptacle; agasket, positioned in the interior cavity of the ferrule and having anopening through which the pumping assembly is positioned, the gasket formaintaining an airtight seal between the pumping assembly and thereceptacle; and an annular collar, the collar having an inner surfaceand an outer surface, the inner surface comprising outwardly (whenviewed from the inner surface, not from the longitudinal axis of thecollar) projecting elongated ribs, the ribs extending along the innersurface thereof and non-orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of thecollar; wherein the ribs are angled along the inner surface of thecollar so that the collar is caused or otherwise allowed to rotate alongthe outer surface of the ferrule as the collar is pressed towards thereceptacle and the elongated ribs form complementary elongated groovesin the outer surface of the ferrule as the collar is being fittedthereon; wherein the plurality of depending legs are locked inengagement with the rim of the receptacle to maintain the coupling ofthe ferrule with the receptacle; whereby an airtight seal is providedbetween the dispensing assembly and the receptacle when the collar ispositioned over the ferrule and the collar secures the engagement of thelegs with the rim of the receptacle.

A method of assembling such a dispenser assembly upon a receptacle isalso provided and comprises the steps of providing a collar such as thatdisclosed above and pushing the collar towards the receptacle andcausing it to rotate over the outer surface of the ferrule as it isforced towards the receptacle, such that the elongated ribs formcomplementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule asthe collar is being fitted thereon; trapping the plurality of dependinglegs under the rim of the receptacle, thereby maintaining the couplingof the ferrule with the receptacle; whereby an airtight seal is providedbetween the dispensing assembly and the receptacle when the collar ispositioned over the ferrule and the collar secures the engagement of thelegs with the rim of the receptacle.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide animproved dispensing assembly that maximizes the “off-to-on” ratio ofapplication and removal forces of the collar for a given application.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an improveddispensing assembly that reduces the likelihood that the collar will beaccidentally or inadvertently pulled off the ferrule by a user, whilealso reducing the likelihood of damaging the outer surface thereofduring the assembly thereof.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an improveddispensing assembly that effectively compresses the gasket sufficientlyto assure a good seal to the bottle neck and avoid leaking whilereducing the likelihood of bottle breaking or collapsing.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide animproved method of assembling such a dispensing assembly that achievesthe aforementioned and below mentioned objectives.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts and sequence of stepsthat will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, andthe scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying figures,in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway view of a collar constructed in accordancewith the prior art;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional slice of the collar of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 illustrates a fully assembled dispensing assembly constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing assembly of FIG. 2,with the pump assembly omitted for purposes of brevity;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pump assembly used in accordance withthe present invention, it being understood to exist in the prior art;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ferrule used in accordance with thepresent invention, it also being understood to exist in the prior art;

FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view illustrating a collar constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the dispensing assembly of FIG. 2,again with the pump assembly omitted for purposes of brevity, andillustrating the final position of the collar on the ferrule; and

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional slice of the collar of FIG. 6 and theferrule of FIG. 5 illustrating how the outer diameter of the ferrule isgreater than the inner surface of the collar when measured to the insidesurface of the ribs of the collar.

Like parts will be identified by like reference numbers in the figures,but not every part will be provided with a reference number, and thisshould not be construed in a limiting manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made to FIGS. 2-3, wherein a dispensing assembly,generally indicated at 1, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, is disclosed. As should be quickly appreciated, dispensingassembly 1 (hereinafter “assembly 1”), is primarily for dispensing asubstance (such as, but not limited to, a liquid such as perfume,cologne or lotion) from a receptacle, generally indicated at 10. In apreferred contemplated embodiment, receptacle 10 is comprised of glass,but one skilled in the art would appreciate that other materials, suchas certain types of plastics or ceramics, can be used therefor.Preferably, receptacle 10 includes a neck 12 and a rim 14. Preferably,neck 12 and rim 14 are integrally molded together during the formationof receptacle 10.

Assembly 1 also comprises a pump assembly, generally indicated at 50(see FIG. 4). Pump assembly 50, generally known as a module, is wellknown in the art, and therefore the details of its construction andfunction can be omitted herein for purposes of brevity. However, at itrelates to the particulars of the present invention, it can be seen thatpump assembly 50 comprises an exit tube 52 through which the liquidleaves pump assembly 50, an intermediate pumping mechanism and chambercoupled thereto and generally indicated at 54, the construction andfunction of which is well known in the art, and a dip tube 56, coupledto intermediate pumping mechanism and chamber 54, that extends intoreceptacle 10 and transports liquid from receptacle 10 towards pumpingmechanism and chamber 54.

Assembly 1 also comprises a ferrule, generally indicated at 20. In thepreferred embodiment, ferrule 20 is an integrally formed metal member,and is typically formed by conventional stamping and pressing and/orcutting processes all well known. A primary function of ferrule 20 is tomaintain a satisfactory coupling of pump assembly 50 to receptacle 10.

As illustrated, ferrule 20 comprises an outer surface 23 and an interiorcavity 24. Preferably, ferrule 20 has a stepped configuration therebyforming two chambers in the interior cavity 24, namely chambers 24 a and24 b (see FIG. 5). Chamber 24 a is separated from chamber 24 b by anannular flange 25. Chamber 24 b is bounded at the top by surface 26 offerrule 20. Top surface 26 has an aperture 27 through which exit tube 52of pump assembly 50 extends. Ferrule 20 also has a plurality of bendableand depending legs 22 for engaging rim 14 of receptacle 10 in a mannermore fully disclosed below.

As also illustrated assembly 1 includes an annular and preferablyresilient gasket 40, positioned in interior cavity 24 and in particular,in chamber 24 a and against the inner surface of and in frictionalengagement with annular flange 25. Gasket 40 also has an opening throughwhich pumping assembly 50 is positioned. As would be understood, gasket40 maintains an airtight seal between pumping assembly 50 and receptacle10 when ferrule 20 is crimped around rim 14 of receptacle 10, as thegasket is positioned intermediate a flange 57 (FIG. 4) of assembly 50and the top surface 13 of receptacle 10.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved collar, generallyindicated at 60, and most fully illustrated in FIG. 6, is provided.Specifically, collar 60 is annular, and has an inner surface 62 and anouter surface 64. Collar 60 includes an opening 65 at its top end toreceive an actuator button 66 that is mounted on the top of the exittube 52 of pump assembly 50. The actuator button 66, its constructionand operation, as well as its engagement with exit tube 52 so as todisburse liquid, is very well known in the art.

Inner surface 62 comprises outwardly projecting elongated ribs 66 thatextend along inner surface 62. Clearly, FIG. 6 illustrates ribs that areangled along the inner surface 62, as opposed to the parallelly aligned(with respect to the longitudinal axis of the collar) ribs of FIG. 1.For reference, ribs 66 are non-orthogonally aligned to a tangent line(“1 _(t)”) of outer surface 64 of collar 60, or as another frame ofreference, non-parallel to a longitudinal axis (see FIG. 8) of thecollar. Reference lines “1 _(v)” are also provided for purposes ofunderstanding the preferred angling of ribs 66, and should be assumed tobe along the inner surface 62 of collar 60. With such a reference, anacceptable angle θ of ribs 66 along the inner surface 62 so as to allowcollar 60 to rotate as it is being fitted on ferrule 20 (as discussedbelow) is approximately ten (10) degrees.

The method of attaching dispensing assembly 1 upon receptacle 10 shallnow be disclosed, although it will be assumed that gasket 40 has alreadybeen placed around pumping assembly 50 as illustrated, slid up to andagainst flange 57, with pumping assembly 50 then being positioned on andagainst the top of receptacle 10 such that the gasket forms the sealbetween assembly 50 and receptacle 10. Tube 56 extends into thereservoir of receptacle 10. Ferrule 20 is preferably placed on and in afriction or snap-fit with pumping assembly 50 before it is positioned inreceptacle 10.

In accordance with the invention, the method of final construction ofthe dispensing assembly 1 comprises the step of first providing anannular collar such as collar 60 disclosed above, and aligning it so asto be positionable and securable on ferrule 20 (see FIG. 2). Thereafter,the collar 60 is slid downwardly (see arrow “a” (compare position ofcollar 60 in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7) over the outer surface 23 of ferrule 20towards receptacle 10. An exemplary press-fit assembly is showngenerally at 80 and presses straight down in the direction “a” againstcollar 60. A flange 81 ensures a good pressing engagement with the topof the collar. Because of the presence and relatively shallow angle ofribs 66, and in combination with a preferable small coefficient offriction between assembly 80 (which may be made of Teflon to ensure asmooth and slippery engagement with the collar) and collar 60 and apreferable high coefficient of friction between the inner surface offerrule 20 and gasket 40, collar 60 is caused or otherwise allowed torotate in the clockwise direction (see “CW” arrow of FIG. 7 for ribsangling as illustrated in FIG. 6 (a “CCW” direction for ribs anglingfrom 1:00 to 7:00 o'clock)). In this way, elongated ribs 66 formcomplementary elongated deformations (i.e. grooves) in outer surface 23of ferrule 20 as the collar is being fitted onto ferrule 20. That is,and in distinction to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,810, collar60 is caused or otherwise allowed to rotate as it is being mounted ontoand press-fit downwardly over ferrule 20. Collar 60 is caused tocontinue its downward and rotational movement along the outer surface offerrule 20 so as to ensure the trapping of the plurality of dependinglegs 22 with the rim 14 of the receptacle, thereby maintaining thecoupling of the ferrule 20 with the receptacle 10 (FIG. 7). The use of ametal ferrule, such as that made from aluminum, and a conventionalgasket provides the desired amount of friction needed therebetween tocause the collar to rotate on the ferrule without the ferrule itselfspinning.

In order to provide for the proper friction fit between collar 60 andferrule 20 and the cutting of permanent grooves in the outer surface 23thereof, the inside diameter of collar 60 around ribs 66 is less thanthe diameter of outer surface 23 of ferrule 20 (see FIG. 8). That is,collar 60 is initially prevented from sliding down further over ferrule20 when an initial force is applied to collar 60. However, an increasein the applied force causes collar 60 to slide and rotate over the outersurface of ferrule 20, ensuring that legs 22 bend downwardly and remainunder rim 14 of receptacle 10 (see FIG. 8). Dispenser assembly 50 isthen securely held against receptacle 10. The gasket 40 providessealing.

It should be understood that the continued urging of collar 60downwardly over ferrule 20 causes ribs 66 to permanently deform theouter surface of the ferrule 20. It can be seen that legs 22 are thusheld in their locking position about rim 14, thus ensuring thatdispensing assembly 50 will remain adequately fixed in an airtightmanner to receptacle 10.

The required force to apply collar 60 securely onto ferrule 20 dependson the shape and size (e.g., radial thickness) of the ribs 66, alongwith the inherent characteristics of the material comprising collar 60and ferrule 20 as well as the construction of assembly 80. However, thisforce needs to be balanced against the resultant force required toremove collar 60 from ferrule 20. Hence, the objective of the presentinvention is to maximize the ratio of the “off-to-on” force for theneeded operation.

As indicated above, it is a requirement that collar 60 rotates onferrule 20 during the collar's downward securing thereon. It has beenfound that the force to apply collar 60 on ferrule 20 adheres to thefollowing equation:

a=b/tan X

where a=axial force, b=rib resistance force and X=the rib lead angle.

With the dispensing assembly 1 now in place upon receptacle 10, thespiral (or angled) ribs 66 have created angular grooves (see FIG. 7) inferrule 20 because of the twisting as collar 60 moves downward ontoferrule 20. However, when an axial removal force is now applied tocollar 60, the collar resists its removal from ferrule 20 because (a)friction inhibits the ribs 66 from sliding over ferrule 20; (b) collar60 and ferrule 20 are locked together rotationally, and the engagementof the ferrule 20 with the gasket 40 would require the gasket 40 tospin, which it is resisted from doing because of its compression betweenthe flange 57 and the top surface of receptacle 10, thus producing aresistive torque which impedes removal of collar 60, and (c) the forceagainst the collar 60 (i.e. whether the fingers of a user or a cap)itself impedes rotation of ferrule 20.

It has thus been found that the combined resistance factors set forthabove have a pronounced effect on the “off-to-on” ratio. This was provenexperimentally, comparing standard collars (i.e. FIG. 1) to the collarsconstructed in accordance with the present invention, namely collar 60.

Specifically, the collars constructed in accordance with the presentinvention were made 0.003 inch larger than that provided by FIG. 1 (whenmeasured from the inner diameter taken from the surface of therespective inner ribs (see FIGS. 1 and 8)), to reduce the friction-fitand to reduce the likelihood of crazing; thus also reducing theapplication (i.e. “on”) force required. Both collars were anodizedtogether and applied to one population of pumps with one population ofbottles. The results are as follows:

Push “On” Force Collar Type Primary Final Pull-off Force Failure ModeStandard (0.633) 96 142 74 Legs flatten Spiral Rib (0.636) 57 110 81Legs flatten

where the “primary” force is the force required to first engage thecollar to the ferrule, while the “final” force is that which is requiredto overcome the engagement of the ribs with the outer surface of theferrule and the other aforementioned resistive factors set forth above.

Based on the foregoing, it can be seen that the “off-to-on” ratio forthe collar of the prior art (i.e. FIG. 1) was 52%, while the “off-to-on”ratio for a collar constructed in accordance with the present inventionis 74%. Moreover, it was found that the ratio of the “on” forces for thetwo collars (spiral to standard) is 77%.

Even more advantages can be seen by the observation that while there wasevidence of crazing on the standard collars, there was no evidence ofcrazing on the spiral collars and the torque resistance of the pumpassembly 50 secured by ferrule 20 and collar 60 was very satisfactory,thus indicating an adequate seal. Lastly, it was experimentallydetermined that the retention of the spiral rib collars is 10% greaterthan on the prior art collars, even though the inner diameter, asmeasured to the inner surface of the ribs 66 (see FIG. 8) was 0.003inches greater.

Accordingly, a preferred construction of the present invention is thatthe inner diameter of the collar, as measured between the inner surfaces69 of the ribs 66, is 0.636 inches. However, one skilled in the artwould readily appreciate that this dimension would change as it is basedon the size of the ferrule and the other components. However, what hasbeen disclosed is that a larger collar that that provided in the priorart can be utilized with improved results. Therefore, dimensions setforth herein should not be seen in the limiting, but rather in anillustrative sense.

Accordingly, use of the present invention maximizes the “off-to-on”ratio of a collar for a dispensing assembly for a receptacle asdisclosed above. Furthermore, the present invention provides an improveddispensing assembly that reduces the likelihood that the collar will beaccidentally or inadvertently pulled off the ferrule by a user, whilealso reducing the likelihood of damaging the outer surface (“crazing”)thereof during the assembly process. The present invention also providesan improved dispensing assembly that effectively compresses the gasketsufficiently to assure a good seal to the bottle neck and avoid leakingwhile reducing the likelihood of bottle breaking or collapsing.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. For example, the elongated ribs disclosed herein arelinear, but elongated spiraling grooves may also be used to achieve theresults and advantages set forth herein.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the inventiondescribed herein and all statements of the scope of the invention thatas a matter of language might fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing assembly for dispensing a substancefrom a receptacle, the receptacle comprising a neck and a rim, thedispenser assembly comprising: a pump assembly that comprises at leastan exit tube through which the substance leaves the pump assembly, and adip tube coupled to the exit tube and extending into the receptacle fortransporting substance from the receptacle towards the exit tube; ametal ferrule for maintaining a coupling of the pump assembly to thereceptacle, the ferrule comprising an outer surface and an interiorcavity, an aperture through which at least the exit tube of the pumpassembly extends, and a plurality of bendable and depending legs forengaging the rim of the receptacle; a gasket, positioned in the interiorcavity of the ferrule and having an opening through which the pumpingassembly is positioned, the gasket being in frictional engagement withthe ferrule and for at least maintaining an airtight seal between thepumping assembly and the receptacle; and an annular collar, the collarhaving an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfacecomprising outwardly projecting elongated ribs, the ribs extending alongthe inner surface thereof and non-orthogonally to a longitudinal axis ofthe collar; wherein the ribs are angled along the inner surface of thecollar and the frictional engagement between the gasket and the ferruleis sufficient such that: the collar is caused to rotate along the outersurface of the ferrule as the collar is pressed towards the receptacle;and the elongated ribs form complementary elongated grooves in the outersurface of the ferrule as the collar is being fitted thereon; whereinthe plurality of depending legs are locked in engagement with the rim ofthe receptacle to maintain the coupling of the ferrule with thereceptacle; whereby an airtight seal is provided between the dispensingassembly and the receptacle when the collar is positioned over theferrule and the collar secures the engagement of the legs with the rimof the receptacle.
 2. The dispensing assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein the collar is made of aluminum.
 3. The dispensing assembly asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each rib forms an angle of approximately 10degrees with a reference line “1 _(v)” on the inner surface of thecollar.
 4. A method of assembling a dispensing assembly upon a rim of areceptacle, wherein the dispensing assembly is for dispensing asubstance from the receptacle and comprises (a) a pump assembly thatcomprises at least an exit tube through which the substance leaves thepump assembly, and a dip tube coupled to the exit tube and extendinginto the receptacle for transporting the substance from the receptacletowards the exit tube; (b) a metal ferrule for maintaining a coupling ofthe pump assembly to the receptacle, the ferrule comprising an outersurface and an interior cavity, an aperture through which at least theexit tube of the pump assembly extends, and a plurality of bendable anddepending legs for engaging the rim of the receptacle; and (c) a gasket,positioned in the interior cavity of the ferrule and having an openingthrough which the pumping assembly is positioned, the gasket being infrictional engagement with the ferrule and for at least maintaining anairtight seal between the pumping assembly and the receptacle, whereinthe method comprises: providing an annular collar having an innersurface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising outwardlyprojecting elongated ribs, the ribs extending along the inner surfacethereof and being non-orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the collar;pushing the collar towards the receptacle and allowing it to rotate overthe outer surface of the ferrule as it is forced towards the receptacleand forming elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule by theelongated ribs as the collar is being fitted thereon; trapping theplurality of depending legs under the rim of the receptacle, therebymaintaining the coupling of the ferrule with the receptacle; whereby anairtight seal is provided between the dispensing assembly and thereceptacle when the collar is positioned over the ferrule and the collarsecures the engagement of the legs with the rim of the receptacle. 5.The method as claimed in claim 4, including the steps of: providing afitting assembly against the collar to cause the collar to movedownwardly towards the receptacle, and allowing the collar to rotate dueto the combination of: the angle of the ribs; the coefficient offriction between the gasket and the ferrule; and the coefficient offriction between the collar and the fitting assembly.
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 5, wherein: the angle of the ribs is small enough; thecoefficient of friction between the gasket and the ferrule is largeenough; and the coefficient of friction between the collar and thefitting assembly is small enough that: the fitting assembly imparts norotational force to the collar as it is pushed towards the receptacleand yet the collar rotates as it pushed onto the ferrule and the ribscut grooves in the ferrule as the collar moves towards the receptacle.7. A method of assembling a dispensing assembly upon a rim of areceptacle, wherein the dispensing assembly is for dispensing asubstance from the receptacle and comprises (a) a pump assembly thatcomprises at least an exit tube through which the substance leaves thepump assembly, and a dip tube coupled to the exit tube and extendinginto the receptacle for transporting the substance from the receptacletowards the exit tube; (b) a ferrule for maintaining a coupling of thepump assembly to the receptacle, the ferrule comprising an outer surfaceand an interior cavity, an aperture through which at least the exit tubeof the pump assembly extends, and a plurality of bendable and dependinglegs for engaging the rim of the receptacle; and (c) a gasket,positioned in the interior cavity of the ferrule and having an openingthrough which the pumping assembly is positioned, the gasket being infrictional engagement with the ferrule and for at least maintaining anairtight seal between the pumping assembly and the receptacle, whereinthe method comprises: providing an annular collar having an innersurface and an outer surface, the inner surface comprising outwardlyprojecting elongated ribs, the ribs extending along the inner surfacethereof and being non-orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the collar;pushing the collar towards the receptacle and causing it to rotate overthe outer surface of the ferrule as it is forced towards the receptacleand forming elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule by theelongated ribs as the collar is being fitted thereon; trapping theplurality of depending legs under the rim of the receptacle, therebymaintaining the coupling of the ferrule with the receptacle; whereby anairtight seal is provided between the dispensing assembly and thereceptacle when the collar is positioned over the ferrule and the collarsecures the engagement of the legs with the rim of the receptacle.